In Jiaganj, Arijit Singh Remains Shomu: A Portrait of Belonging Beyond Fame
Ever since Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing, the music industry has been buzzing with speculation. Yet in the quiet lanes of Jiaganj, a town in Murshidabad district, those questions simply fade away. Here, Arijit's presence is absolute and palpable, even when the man himself remains unseen. His deliberate refusal to engage with the media finds resonance in a community that fiercely protects his privacy over chasing headlines.
The Heartbeat of a Town
Arijit's music forms the very soundtrack of Jiaganj. It pulses through the ringtones of passersby and drifts melodiously from humble roadside tea stalls. There is a poetic resonance in the town's name – 'Jia' meaning life – and after spending a day here, one quickly understands who truly embodies that spirit. Walking through the narrow lanes of Punjabi Para, which leads to his residence, locals might even guide you to his uncle Chotka Singh's house or share anecdotes about his childhood.
His house, built around seven to eight years ago, stands beside the Shibtala Ghat on the Bhagirathi river. The original home where he grew up, in Shibtala Ghat, lies just behind it. If fortune smiles, one might even spot the Kesariya singer leaving on his scooty when he is in town. But in Jiaganj, long before chart-topping hits and global tours, Arijit was simply Shomu to his neighbors.
Shomu: The Boy Before the Star
For Biswajit Talapatra, a neighbor, the relationship has always been familial rather than one of mere proximity. "To us, he has always been Shomu. The house he grew up in stands right across from ours. He was a regular at our home as a child," Biswajit recalls. He shares how Arijit's mother, Aditi, was his classmate, and his father, Kakka Singh, is regarded like an elder brother. "From childhood, it was his mother who shaped his love for music. Music was something he lived for." When Arijit announced his retirement, the sense of loss felt deeply personal to the community.
Despite the inevitable distance brought by time and a demanding career, Biswajit emphasizes that fame has not altered Arijit's core character. This continuity extends to his childhood friends. After returning to Jiaganj, Arijit included Swapan Singha's nephew, a childhood companion, into his professional team. "Today, he travels the world with Arijit," says Swapan, another neighbor, highlighting the singer's loyalty.
The Educational Foundations and Giving Back
Arijit's academic journey in Jiaganj laid a strong foundation. He studied from grades 5 to 10 at Jiaganj Raja Bijoy Singh Vidyamandir and completed classes 11 and 12 at Sripat Singh College, whose elaborate red singhadwars greet visitors at the town's entrance.
At his alma mater, memory seamlessly blends with present-day contributions. Assistant Principal Dipankar Bhattacharya remembers Arijit as a student for whom music was instinctive. "He began with Rabindra Sangeet and devotional songs. After participating in Fame Gurukul (2005), his career graph rose steadily." More than his talent, Dipankar notes his temperament: "He is the kind of person who can sit and talk for hours, unhurried, as if time itself can wait."
Since being appointed President of the school's Board Committee in April 2022, Arijit has overseen extensive restoration of the century-old institution. This includes reviving the field in front of the school and its three-acre playground. Recognizing the playground's needs, he had it enclosed and established a cricket and sports academy named after his mother, Aditi Singh. "Today, CAB matches are held on the ground, alongside regular school sports activities," Dipankar shares. "When Arijit comes here, he asks his teachers to sit on the chair while he sits on the floor. There is no hesitation in him, no sense of ego."
The Shy Boy with a Musical Gift
Kamalesh Shaw, who taught Arijit Hindi in classes 7 and 8, recalls a shy boy who came to school daily holding his dida's (grandmother's) hand. "He always came holding his dida's hand, and went home with her," Kamalesh reminisces. Even then, teachers sensed something special. At every cultural event – Independence Day, Republic Day, Netaji's birth anniversary, or Rabindra Jayanti – Arijit was the chosen singer. "Senior teachers often said he would go on to do something meaningful in life," he adds.
Despite his rising fame, Arijit remained gentle and approachable. "Even today, when we meet him, he always touches our feet and asks, 'Sir, kemon achhen?' There is no pride in him, even now that he is the President of this school." Kamalesh also fondly remembers how teacher-musician Prabir Singha Chowdhury trained Arijit and his own son, Arpan. School life wasn't without mischief: "Arijit and Arpan were very close friends, and they bunked classes more than once," he says with a smile.
Building a Legacy in Jiaganj
Arijit's commitment to his hometown extends beyond his school. He has established a creative haven – a private music studio requiring biometric access, where he hosts collaborators like Dutch DJ Martin Garrix and spent time with Ed Sheeran before the release of Sapphire. In Baluchar, Jiaganj, he introduced a spoken English and cultural academy named after his mother, with plans for a full-fledged academy elsewhere in town. Additionally, in the Hatibagan area, his father and uncle run a humble restaurant named Heshel.
His efforts to uplift the community are profound. "Arijit has ensured that each and every boy he grew up with found employment. Some are also working as part of his team," notes Kamalesh Shaw. Future plans, as shared by Dipankar Bhattacharya, include a 500-seat auditorium and a science museum behind the school, both envisioned by Arijit himself. "On many evenings, if you happen to pass by our school playground, you might still see Arijit playing a casual cricket match with boys from the neighbourhood," Dipankar adds.
In Jiaganj, Arijit Singh and his hometown are inseparable. It is a world defined less by the artifice of celebrity and more by the raw sincerity of belonging, where the superstar effortlessly transitions into the beloved Shomu, keeping his roots firmly anchored in the soil that nurtured him.
